Front Differential Skid Enough, or Do I Need a Diff Cover Too?

[daverockville]

I’m looking to protect my front differential and considering the Next Venture diff skid. Would this be sufficient for tackling more challenging trails? I’d appreciate any feedback from those with experience on tough terrain. Also, is an aftermarket diff cover necessary? I currently have a Falcon 2.2 steering stabilizer, so I’m concerned there may be clearance issues if I try to run both.

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[3TV]

In my opinion the Next Venture diff skid is the best on the market, and if that is the skid you are using you don't need a different diff cover. I have the Next Venture skid and cover, and the diff skid has been drug from Loon Lake to South Lake Tahoe a couple of times, and well as over everything in Moab, and more. It doesn't have any powder coat on the bottom side anymore, but is otherwise still in perfect condition.

 

[roaniecowpony]

How much armor someone needs is really based on how they drive. If you're a conservative driver and have a good spotter, you may not even need a front diff skid. I've run the Rubicon and a dozen other BOH trails without any diff skids. I installed the rear NextVenture diff skid late last year, just before I ran the Rubicon the second time. I suppose I'll install the front NextVenture diff skid sometime this spring, as it's been laying around for a year now and my spotter is going on fewer and few trips, which means I'm hitting more things with the front diff. Last year, I probably used a spotter 70% less on the Rubicon trail than the first year. That means more contacts on the diff.

 

[daverockville]

In my opinion the Next Venture diff skid is the best on the market, and if that is the skid you are using you don't need a different diff cover. I have the Next Venture skid and cover, and the diff skid has been drug from Loon Lake to South Lake Tahoe a couple of times, and well as over everything in Moab, and more. It doesn't have any powder coat on the bottom side anymore, but is otherwise still in perfect condition.

Great info! What other skids have you added, and what size tires are you running?

 

[daverockville]

How much armor someone needs is really based on how they drive. If you're a conservative driver and have a good spotter, you may not even need a front diff skid. I've run the Rubicon and a dozen other BOH trails without any diff skids. I installed the rear NextVenture diff skid late last year, just before I ran the Rubicon the second time. I suppose I'll install the front NextVenture diff skid sometime this spring, as it's been laying around for a year now and my spotter is going on fewer and few trips, which means I'm hitting more things with the front diff. Last year, I probably used a spotter 70% less on the Rubicon trail than the first year. That means more contacts on the diff.

Rubicon, nice! That’s my goal someday. What other skids and tire size are you running?

 

[3TV]

Great info! What other skids have you added, and what size tires are you running?

I have Next Venture diff skids and control arm skids front and rear, Metalcloak full belly skids, and Rock Slide Engineering step sliders. All of them have been abused and have countless scars from being used with the 37s I have had for the last 2 1/2 years. Other than deep scrapes they are straight and completely functional though. I now have 40s, and after the first 4 rock crawling trails I have only felt the skids touch a few times. I'm going to Moab for Presidents day this weekend though, and running three more trails, so I'll get to test out clearance from the 40s a little more.

Roaniecowpony is a better driver than me, and has had better spotting. Last summer we did the Rubicon, and my spotter was my wife. She was more interested in taking pictures than spotting, so I drove the trail using brail to guide my way. She sure was good company to have along though . Absolutely love that gal.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Rubicon, nice! That’s my goal someday. What other skids and tire size are you running?

I have the full belly Artec aluminum skids, and I'm on Mickey Thompson BBAT 37s, 4.88s, 3.5" Metalcloak GC lift. I'm considering going to 4.5" Metalcloak rear springs, since the rear sags with my typical load-out.

If you're considering a lift and other mods, I'd recommend you start with steering upgrades before or concurrent with your lift. If your balljoints are OEM, I'd replace them with Dynatrac or Metalcloak. Cast iron knuckles from Mopar, Reid Racing, or others will be more resistant to egging out the tapered holes for the balljoints and steering rods. The late cast iron steering box is a good improvement. Trackbar and steering box braces will help durability for those that drive hard.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I have Next Venture diff skids and control arm skids front and rear, Metalcloak full belly skids, and Rock Slide Engineering step sliders. All of them have been abused and have countless scars from being used with the 37s I have had for the last 2 1/2 years. Other than deep scrapes they are straight and completely functional though. I now have 40s, and after the first 4 rock crawling trails I have only felt the skids touch a few times. I'm going to Moab for Presidents day this weekend though, and running three more trails, so I'll get to test out clearance from the 40s a little more.

Roaniecowpony is a better driver than me, and has had better spotting. Last summer we did the Rubicon, and my spotter was my wife. She was more interested in taking pictures than spotting, so I drove the trail using brail to guide my way. She sure was good company to have along though . Absolutely love that gal.

Your wife was so gracious. Really nice lady. I can't believe you convinced her to stack rocks for you. I felt bad for her and gave her some spare gloves. I'll try to entice my wife to go this year. I'll bring more gloves for her too

 

[daverockville]

I have the full belly Artec aluminum skids, and I'm on Mickey Thompson BBAT 37s, 4.88s, 3.5" Metalcloak GC lift. I'm considering going to 4.5" Metalcloak rear springs, since the rear sags with my typical load-out.

If you're considering a lift and other mods, I'd recommend you start with steering upgrades before or concurrent with your lift. If your balljoints are OEM, I'd replace them with Dynatrac or Metalcloak. Cast iron knuckles from Mopar, Reid Racing, or others will be more resistant to egging out the tapered holes for the balljoints and steering rods. The late cast iron steering box is a good improvement. Trackbar and steering box braces will help durability for those that drive hard.

That’s a great rig! Tons of valuable info here—really appreciate it.

 

[daverockville]

I have Next Venture diff skids and control arm skids front and rear, Metalcloak full belly skids, and Rock Slide Engineering step sliders. All of them have been abused and have countless scars from being used with the 37s I have had for the last 2 1/2 years. Other than deep scrapes they are straight and completely functional though. I now have 40s, and after the first 4 rock crawling trails I have only felt the skids touch a few times. I'm going to Moab for Presidents day this weekend though, and running three more trails, so I'll get to test out clearance from the 40s a little more.

Roaniecowpony is a better driver than me, and has had better spotting. Last summer we did the Rubicon, and my spotter was my wife. She was more interested in taking pictures than spotting, so I drove the trail using brail to guide my way. She sure was good company to have along though . Absolutely love that gal.

Great setup! Lots of valuable info here—much appreciated.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

My Falcon 2 ran into my Rancho dif skid (with the stock dif cover) and broke the stabilizer bracket so, yes, a thicker cover and/or a dif skid that attaches to the front of the cover is something to watch out for. As far needing both, IMO they serve similar purposes and having both is a little overkill.

 

[Terrymo]

If you look at previous threads on this topic, you will see strong viewpoints on both sides of this. As a beginner to off-roading more than a fire road, I looked under the Jeep at all the expensive things that could be damaged in light of my inexperience. I decided to add skids right off the bat. More than necessary? Probably, but I don’t regret it. Many will say only a diff skid or heavy duty cover is needed. I did both.

 

[AcesandEights]

What part of your rig has the most scratches? I'd put armor there. I wouldn't put them on the diffs unless you're routinely hitting your diffs. My guess is you're not.

 

[zouch]

if i’m understanding these pictures correctly, i’d be more concerned about relocating that Steering Stabilizer up out of harms way before worrying about dif skids or covers.

FWIW, i did the full Artec Bellypan (with the DEF Tank guard; because, Diesel), Rear LCA mount skids, and their Premium Rock Sliders. i also added Dana dif covers, but more to reduce deflection of the difs with diesel torque and 4.56s turning 37s.

i rarely have a spotter, and even after Rubicon, Moab, etc., it’s all the other armor that shows more evidence of sliding over things than the dif covers.
i have no plans to add dif skids at this point.

a lot depends on where and how you’ll be driving.

I’m looking to protect my front differential and considering the Next Venture diff skid. Would this be sufficient for tackling more challenging trails? I’d appreciate any feedback from those with experience on tough terrain. Also, is an aftermarket diff cover necessary? I currently have a Falcon 2.2 steering stabilizer, so I’m concerned there may be clearance issues if I try to run both.

 

[BDinTX]

What part of your rig has the most scratches? I'd put armor there. I wouldn't put them on the diffs unless you're routinely hitting your diffs. My guess is you're not.

Admittedly this isn't an apples to apples comparison but your comment reminded me of a totally off topic video. During WW2 the Army needed to decide on where to add armor on WW2 bombers based on where they found bullet holes.


For the OP - I put ARB diff covers on because I'd rather have the protection and not need it than need it and not have it. My reasoning was - I think the diff housing is strong enough for what I'm doing. A skid can both make sliding over things easier and cause you to catch on something you otherwise may not.

The decision is really yours to make and whatever you decide, the internet will let you know it was the wrong one.

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